Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hair
What are the Symptoms of Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs?
The symptoms of razor bumps and ingrowing hair are unsightly red or darkened, painful ‘bumps' which can lead to ‘scarring' in severe cases.
What Causes Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs?
This occurs when curly hair grows out of the skin, curls round and then grows back into the skin. This happens if the hair is cut too short. Normal hair cut too short will create the same problem. They result in the medical condition pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). An ideal shave cuts the hair flush with the surface of the skin and avoids any undue friction and/or irritation to the surrounding skin. If you suffer from razor bumps, ingrowing hair and shaving irritation, the chances are that you are pulling the skin too taut during the shave and the hairs are cut too short. Don't pull the skin tight and see if it makes a difference!
People with PFB and razor bumps often have a great tendency to develop ingrown or curled under hairs, which get red, raised and tender. These bumps often leave dark marks on the skin for many months and sometimes even cause scarring.
Who Tends to Suffer with PFB?
While PFB can occur in all ethnic groups, it is most common in those with very curly hair and especially amongst African Americans.
What Treatments are Available?
Treatment of tough cases of PFB often requires special shaving equipment. In fact, some African American men have opted to wear a beard rather than be subject to the pain and embarrassment that often accompanies severe PFB. Special razors have been developed that cut the hair slightly longer than typical razors. These razors are available as part of an entire product line called the Bump Fighter ® Shaving System designed exclusively to help control PFB. In addition to these products, Skin food is also helpful for many PFB suffers.
For most people, these over the counter products provide sufficient control of shaving related problems. In fact, there are no prescription products targeted specifically for shaving related problems. Vitamin A related products such as Retin A (tretinoin) or Differin (adapalene) may be prescribed in some cases and work by helping exfoliate skin both on the surface and around the follicles. This results in less chance of the hairs getting caught in the skin and growing inward.
Shaving related problems usually respond well to a combination of proper shaving technique, equipment and products. For tough or treatment resistant shaving problems, it is always best to consult personally with a dermatologist.
What Can I do to Help Prevent the Problem?
In addition to the normal tips on shaving , you might find benefit in the use of certain shaving devices and products. The products and devices tend to be specialized towards serving either those people with tendencies toward ingrown hairs or those with a tendency towards razor bumps and PFB. A large majority of PFB sufferers and sufferers of shaving problems generally tend to be African American. The reason for this is that very curly hairs are most inclined to grow inward or curl around to form razor bumps.
Ingrown hairs and shaving irritation can be greatly improved by simply following the standard shaving tips found on any shaving website . No special shaving equipment is suggested, but experience has shown that re-usable metal shaving handles serviced with disposable blade cartridges tend to provide smooth shaves with less chance of causing shaving irritation and ingrown hairs than electric razors.
Blades should be changed at least once every ten days, more often if skin irritation persists. Disposable razor blades should are also best avoided when possible. Shaving gels are important in the treatment of this condition, as a good gel will minimize the friction associated with shaving and reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
Products that Can Help
One product I recommend is PFB VSH . This is a unique, cosmetically elegant roll-on gel formulated to aid in the relief of ingrown hairs, razor burn/bumps resulting from shaving, waxing, electrolysis and laser hair removal. PFB VANISH exfoliates skin cells to "lift ingrown hairs" above the skin line.
Skin food is another product that can be applied daily after shaving. It is effective at fighting ingrown hairs and helps calm redness associated with hair removal.
Shaving Rash
What is a Shaving Rash?
Shaving rash is more of a problem with men who have curly hair and is similar to 'razor bumps', the symptoms are unsightly red or darkened, painful ‘bumps' which can lead to ‘scarring' in severe cases.
How do you Prevent Shaving Rash?
To prevent shaving rash, do not stretch the skin as you shave. Hairs are most likely to grow inwards if you pull on the skin whilst shaving. The hairs pop out of the follicle when you pull the skin and after the cut the tip of the hair retracts into the follicle and curls into the follicle as it begins to grow. This causes the shaving rash and razor bumps.
What Relief is Available?
To achieve relief from these problems first check that the skin appears to be free from infection – angry red areas or spots are symptoms – if present, treat with an antiseptic solution or cream.
How do I Treat Ingrown Hairs?
If you can see ingrowing hairs, try to tease the tips of the hairs out of the skin. Soak a flannel in hot water and apply it to your skin for a few minutes. This should soften the hairs to enable you to pull the hair out of the ‘bump' with a pair of fine tweezers. Cut the loose end with a pair of scissors.
You can refrain from shaving for a few days. Then cut the beard with scissors quite close to the skin. As the hair regrows, it should grow slightly straighter and not back into the skin. But remember when you continue to shave NOT to pull the skin too tight or shave against the grain of the beard.
The problems caused by shaving are often because of poor technique and the use of inferior, cheap products.
What Products are Available to Help Treat or Prevent Shaving Rash?
One product I recommend is PFB VSH . This is a unique, cosmetically elegant roll-on gel formulated to aid in the relief of ingrown hairs, razor burn/bumps resulting from shaving, waxing, electrolysis and laser hair removal. PFB VANISH exfoliates skin cells to "lift ingrown hairs" above the skin line.
Skin food is another product that can be applied daily after shaving. It is effective at fighting ingrown hairs and helps calm redness associated with hair removal.
Razor Burns
What are Razor burns?
Razor burns are burning sensations and irritation more often than not caused by applying too much pressure with the razor.
When this happens, you do not create a barrier between your face and the razor resulting in friction burns.
Prevention of Razor Burns
Use pre-shave oils and a high quality brush and soap to ensure a rich soapy barrier and do not apply too much pressure.
Use after shave balms or oils to soothe the skin.
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